Method for preserving already partly polymerized formaldehyde



Patented Jan. 29, 19 24.

LUDVIG AUGUST MEYER, OF COPENHAGEN, DENMARK,

ASSIGNOR TO THE FIRM OE INTERNATIONAL CHEMICAL COMPANY, COPENHAGEN,DENMARK.

METHOD FbR PRESERVING ALREADY PARTLY POLYMERIZED FORMALDEEYDE.

N Drawing.

To all whom it army concem:

Be it known that I, LUovIo AUGUST MEYER, subject of the Kingdom ofDenmark, residing at-Tordenskjoldsgade 15,

v o Copenhagen, Denmark, have invented cerpolymerization and consequentformation of.

paraformaldehyde,

As is generally known, formaldehyde gradually becomes polymerized whenkept for a long period of time, with the result that paraformaldehyde isformed; the formaldehyde being converted from its original liquid stateinto a product of buttery consistency containing more and moreparaformaldehyde, until it finally becomes completely transformed intothe latter sub stance. 'lhat substance, however, is very ditticultlysoluble in water; and, since ode of the chief uses of formaldehyde is awa disinfectant, in which instance it is utiliz'd in the form of a waterysolution, it will be apparent that the aforesaid substance is notsuitable for the purpose specified.

so I have found, however, that if pa'rtiallypolymerized formaldehydewhich, as previ-- ously stated, is in a, more or less buttery condition,be treated with a solution of an alkali which is soluble in water, thefor- Application filed December 31, 1921. Serial No. 526,317.

mation of paraformaldehyde will be greatly reduced and, consequently,the solubility of the product or substance in water will be augmented.The solubility of the formaldehyde may be further increased by adding tothe previously mentioned alkali a suitable quantity of monohydric ortrihydric alcohol which will also have the effect of rendering theparaformaldehyde already formed soluble in water.

I claim as my invent-ion:

1. The method of preserving formaldehyde which consists in adding to ita solu tion of a water-soluble alkali and an alcohol which will rendersoluble in water any paraformaldehyde already formed and will preventthe further formation thereof; substantially as described.

2. The method of preserving formaldehyde which consists in adding to ita 2-5% solution of a water-soluble alkali and an alcohol which willrender soluble in water any paraformaldehyde already formed and willprevent the further formation thereof; substantially as described.

3. The method of preserving formaldehyde, which consists in adding to ita solution which will render soluble in ivater any paraformaldehydealready formed and will prevent the further formation thereof;substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

LUnvio AUGUST MEYER.

